Q6600 end of life - is a 775 Xeon an option

[B@Th*nG]

Just replaced/upgraded my graphics card, as my old one went pop, with a RX480. The CPU, Q6660@ 3.264GHz) is very evidently the limiting factor now as gaming performance is not really any different. Obviously the sensible/expensive thing to do would be to replace the CPU/mobo/RAM buuutt who's interested in the sensible things when there's all manner of dumb/cheap things to do.

One possibility I've seen is to replace the CPU with a modded Xeon x5650, x5675, x5680 CPU. They're going for under £30 on the bay atm. I understand that the mainboard might need a new BIOS to support it and its new power requirements, I have an Abit IP35-E that MAY be up to the task. I also have some enclosed water cooling for the CPU, which is about as good as a very good air cooler to be honest (60c full load), but not much blowing over the board other than some case fans to keep the air moving. Performance wise it seems it may double what the Q6600 is offering.

I hear you can get massive clocks from these chips, 4.4ghz is not uncommon. Is this a go-er? Does anyone have any experience with this?

B@

 

[B@Th*nG]

Fair enough, all!

I have a x5650 and gigabyte ud3 you can have for free if you pay postage, also have 6GB ram you can have.

do you have a cooler for x58 system, if not can throw one in also but its gonna be heavy to post.

It was all working last I tried but can't guarantee anything.

Thank you for your very kind offer, but i think the advice above has tempered my interest in this little project. Thanks again!

B@

 

[B@Th*nG]

I can't believe it's 2019 and I'm reading a thread about a Q6600. Amazing how that CPU has been relevant for this long. Great purchase.

It is pretty amazing. Just been playing Witcher 3 on it absolutely fine!

This is kinda why I was tempted just to give it a cheap speed boost. The board definitely does at least 400fsb so I know it's good for it. It'll buy me another couple of years while the Ryzen stuff comes down in price

B@